Tom May - Suspension of Sentence

Benton McMillin
Governor of the State of Tennessee

To all who shall see these Presents, and more especially to the Sheriff of Wayne Co. Superintendent and Warden of the Penitentiary Greeting:

Whereas, At the November Term 18 1900 of the Circuit Court for our County of Wayne Tom May was convicted of Disturbing Public Worship and sentenced to undergo confinement for the term of Six months in Jail and $50.00 fine and costs in one case and $50.00 fine and costs in another.

And Whereas, The said Tom May has been recommended to me as a fit subject for Executive clemency: Defendant May was convicted at the Nov. Term of the Circuit Court of Wayne Co. 1900 in two cases and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and fine of $50.00 and costs in one case and $50.00 fine and costs in the other. He has served more than the jail sentence imposed upon him is poor and unable to pay the remainder of the fine. Judge Holding and Atty Gen'l Boyd who tried the cause together with County officials, leading citizens and a number of the church members of the congregation where the offense was committed all urge his pardon on the ground that he has been sufficiently punished and that the object of the law has thereby been obtained. In view of these petitions and the representations made by the officials trying the cause I grant the pardon of the fine.

Now, Therefore, I, BENTON McMILLIN, Governor as aforesaid, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, do hereby PARDON the said Tom May of the said Offense, so far as relates to the term of imprisonment yet unexpired fines in each case but in no other way interfering with the judgment and sentence of said Court; and I do further authorize and direct that the said Tom May be forthwith liberated and put at large relieved of the fines in each case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State to be affixed, at Nashville, on the 1st day of August 189 1901. //s// Benton McMillin.  By the Governor, //s// Jno. W. Morton, Secretary of State.

Endorsed on the back; "Released August 5, 1901 //s// John H. Greeson, Sheriff.

Submitted by Edgar D. Byler, III